Summer Safety Tips and Bicycle Maintenance

With summer time approaching and more and more citizens in Southern California taking up cycling, we thought it would be a good time to review some bicycle safety and maintenance tips. Whether you are new to cycling or an experienced cyclist, keep these tips in mind:

• “A” is for Air. Check your tire pressure. Checking the PSI on your tires should be a daily habit for all cyclists. If your tires are underinflated, it can cause damage to your wheels. If you do not know how to check the pressure, ask a trusted friend or a bicycle mechanic. Both underinflated or overinflated tires cause accidents.
• “B” is for Brakes. Check the brakes! This may seem like an obvious point, but faulty brakes are the cause of many bicycle accidents. If you have experience with bicycle brakes, fixing them can be as simple as adjusting the cables. If you do not know what you are doing, take your bike to a mechanic. Check them before each ride—going downhill is a bad time to find out your brakes are shot.
• “C” is for Chain. Make sure your chain is lubricated. If your chain is dry it will damage and wear out more quickly. If you hear squeaking coming from your chain, it needs lubrication. Check with your bike shop to learn the best lubricant for your bike.

Always remember it is as simple as “ABC” to check your bike. If something feels, looks or sounds a little off to you, take it to a mechanic. Remember to wear your bicycle helmet and follow bicycle safety laws.

Bonnici Law Group, APC—San Diego personal injury attorney.